Piercing device for nipples



Dec. 26, 1950 w, J. oNElLL JR 2,535,594

PIERCING DEVICE FOR NIPPLES Filed Nov. 19, 1947 ,5 William J. O'Neill, Jr

(ma Wave 15. m

Patented Dec. I 26, 1 950 HEEi-UENG DEVICE FOR NKPIPLES W/iliiam 3-. UNeili, Sir Lake Forest, Ill.

Application November 19, 1947, Serial N 0. 787,015

l Claims. 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements and structural refinements in piercing devices for nipples, and the principal object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herein described, such as may be conveniently and effectively employed for the formation or enlargement of apertures in nursing nipples.

A further object of the invention is to provide a piercing device which includes in its construc-- tion a plurality of needles of different diameters, so as to facilitate the formation or enlargement of apertures of different sizes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a piercing device for nipples wherein the needles are protected by a cover when the device is not in use, so as to prevent the possibility of injury to persons who may be handling the same.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a piercing device for nipples which is simple in construction, which will not easily become damaged, and which will readily lend itself to economical manufacture.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a piercing device for nipples which is otherwise well-adapted for the purpose for which it is intended.

With the above more important objects in view, and such other objects as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the invention consists essentially of the arrangement and construction of parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention with the cover thereof in an open position and showing one of the piercing needles in readiness for use;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the invention in a closed position, and

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional View, taken substantially in the plane of the line 3-3- in Figure 2.

Like characters of reference are employed to designate like parts in the specification and throughout the several views.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, the invention consists of a piercing device for nipples designated generally by the reference character ill, the same embodying in its construction a box-like container ll consisting of a rectangular frame or drawer l2 and a slidable receptacle or cover l3.

It will be observed that the frame I2 includes a pair of spaced parallel side walls It, a pair of end walls l5, IE and a bottom ll. On the other hand, the cover I3 is open at one end and closed 2 at its other end, matters being so arranged that the frame l2 may be slid into and withdrawn from the cover through the open end of the latter, as will be clearly apparent.

An arcuate cross rod l8 extends transversely of the frame it and is secured at the ends thereof in the side walls l of the frame, the rod it being provided with a series of annular grooves it, as is best shown in Figure 3. A plurality of piercing needles 2%] are rotatably moimted on the cross rod it, these needles being similar in construction and each being provided at one end thereof with an integrally formed eye 2i which engages one of the grooves Hi. In this manner, the several needles are rotatably mounted upon the cross rod, yet are retained in spaced parallel relationship.

The needles 2B are of substantially the same length and the free ends thereof terminate in pointed extremities 22. Finally, it will be observed that the edge portions of the frame end walls it, It are formed with a series of notches or seats 23, 24 respectively, the notches in each end wall progressively increasing in depth, so to speak, more or less in accordance with the contour of the longitudinal axis of the cross rod it which has the end portions thereof disposed at relatively different levels.

The notches 23, 24 are adapted to receive the pointed end portions of the needles 2!} in a selective manner, that is to say, when the frame I2 is disposed within the cover l3, the several needles 20 engage the respective notches 24 in the end wall It, as illustrated in Figure 2.

When it is desired to employ the invention for piercing or enlarging an aperture in a nursing nipple, the frame l2 may be withdrawn from the cover l3 and one of the needles 20 may be rotated about the cross rod [8 so that an intermediate portion of the needle is brought in engagement with one of the notches 23 in the end Wall l5. The frame [2 may then be slid into the cover l3 while the needle is in its projected position (shown in Figure 1 or at 25 in Figure 2) whereupon the piercing or enlarging operation may be undertaken. It is to be particularly noted in this connection that the cover [3 performs a double function, namely, that of retaining the remaining needles in their retracted position while the projected needle is being used, and secondly, the cover functions as a convenient handle for the device as a whole, while the piercing or enlarging operation is being effected.

Needless to say, the several needles 20 are of different diameters to facilitate formation or enscription thereof at this point is deemed unnec- 3 essary.

While in the foregoing there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of this invention it is to be understood that minor changes in the details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. In a nipple piercing device, the combination of an elongated receptacle including a top wall and having an open end, a drawer slidable in said receptacle through the open end thereof and including an outer end wall which constitutes a closure for said open end when the drawer is slid inwardly, a transversely extending rod provided in said drawer adjacent said end Wall, and a set of piercing needles independently rotatable on said rod and swingable from an inoperative position in the drawer to an operative position wherein they project outwardly therefrom beyond said end wall, the upper edge portion of said outer end wall being provided with a set of notches constituting seats for intermediate portions of the respective needles when the latter are in their projected positions.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said top wall extends above projected needles when the drawer is slid into said receptacle, whereby the projected needles are retained in the respective seats.

3. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said drawer includes an inner end wall provided in its upper edge portion with a set of notches constituting seats for free end portions of the respective needles when the latter are in their inoperative positions.

4. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said rod is provided with a set of longitudinally spaced annular grooves, said needles being provided at one end thereof with circular eyes rotatable in said grooves, whereby the needles are retained in a spaced relation on said rod.

WILLIAM J. ONETLL, JR.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Hatleli Nov. 22, 1898 Number 

